Social Insurance

Republican opponents of Social Security have not wasted even a single day in their plan to dismantle Social Security brick by brick. What should be a dry, mundane exercise -- the adoption of new rules by the newly convening House of Representatives -- has turned into a stealth attack on America's working families.

Simply increasing wage levels and extending jobless benefits once again won't solve the problem of long-term unemployment and underemployment, and the diminishing impact income losses have on the long-term productive capacity of the United States economy.

As the GOP abruptly ends unemployment benefits, Republicans intend to slash food aid as well. They want to cut $4 billion a year from the food stamp program that many jobless families depend on for meals. This will occur as struggling food pantries report bare shelves.

Last Tuesday Ted Sorensen's family held a memorial for him at Lincoln Center. In the wake of his recent death, much of his stirring writing is being recalled. It seems worthwhile to mention one book that is less well known, Why I Am a Democrat.